Downton Abbey

Lost in Paradise

Disclaimer: I will say the normal stuff of course I don't own anything just borrowing Mr. Bates and Anna for a while… I also borrowed the Title from a song by Evanescence. There is No copy write infringement intended with the use either…

Summary: There is no one who could love the way John and Anna love each other but, is love enough? This is a modern and AU fic … Happy Reading!

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took forever to write, but life is what it is. I hope you enjoy it… Just FYI this fic is not beta'd so any and all mistakes you may find are mine. Please PM me if you find any. On with the show!

Chapter 3

The landing was as expected and the car was waiting to take them to H &A farm. Getting into the car Anna watched her friend, "Ok, Mary we have at least an hour before we reach the farm tell me what's bothering you."

"Oh good heavens, its George… Oh Anna," Mary said sadly.

"George is a well-mannered intelligent boy, what could possibly be the matter?"

"He's an angel, but Anna he needs parents."

"Mary he has you and your family. People who love him. To me he is a very lucky boy, indeed."

They talked and reminisced throughout the drive to the farm only when they turned toward the concrete pillars at the end of the lane did they take in the scenery. Just off to the right was a wooden fence painted black with a hand carved sign, 'H&A Farm. Established 1930'

The road towards the house and barns was almost a mile. Watching the horses run free in the pastures they both remembered why they enjoyed their jobs. The car came to a stop in front of an old 1800's style home the porch was painted gray with four painted pillars that held the roof over the double oak doors. Anna stepped out the car, then Mary. The gravel crunched beneath their boots. It was only during the trips abroad they both find it appropriate to dress for the setting they were in. Walking up the four wooden steps they made their way to the door. Raising her hand just an inch above her head Anna moved the old brass door "knocker" and waited to be let inside. It took a few moments until the door opened and they were greeted by Amelia Jacobs co- owner of the farm.

"Hello," Amelia said as she dried her hands on a dish towel, "You must be Mary and Anna." She said as she stepped back letting them come through.

"Yes, I am Mary Crawley and this is," Mary said nodding in her direction, "… Anna Bates."

Holding out her hand to both Mary and Anna, Ashley introduced herself, "I'm Amelia Jacobs, and it is a pleasure to meet you both."

Following her inside the house the driver sat their cases just inside the door. The sound echoed throughout the room. The room they came into was a formal sitting room. Just through an open door was the living room and kitchen and just across the floor opened into the dining room. "You have a lovely home Mrs. Jacobs," Anna told her as she took in her surroundings.

"Thank you, please call me Amelia." She admonished them. "Would you all like anything to drink some coffee or tea?"

"Coffee," Anna answered with a small smile. Taking a drink she shifted her feet, "Has your family always lived here."

"Yes…well since it was given to my grandmother as a wedding gift by her father in 1935, just a few years after he had begun to run the farm."

Mary had been uncharacteristically quiet through their conversation. "Forgive me Mrs. Jacobs where will we be staying?"

Turning toward Mary, "I'll show you, please follow me." Amelia said. Turning back to the stove and making sure the burners were turned off she began to walk back through the living room and stopped at two opened bedroom doors. "This is where you'll be staying… I hope this will be alright."

With an appreciative smile Anna assured her, "This will be fine. These rooms are beautiful." She said walking into the first room on the right. The bed was a four poster with a canopy.

As they all walked around the room that held the bed a small vanity a chest of drawers and a standalone wardrobe by the far wall. "The furniture came with the house it is over one hundred years old but, the mattresses are new." Amelia informed them.

"This is lovely," Mary said inspecting the room.

As they moved toward the open door Amelia motioned toward the next room, "The lay out is much the same as this room. Also there are more blankets and extra quilts in the shelves of the wardrobe, if you should need them."

"Thank you," Both women said as they watched her disappear and reappear with their luggage in hand.

"Let us take those." Anna said taking her case and garment bag from her.

"I'll let you get settled, dinner will be in about a half hour." Amelia told them.

Anna had taken the first bedroom. Opening the wardrobe she found a hook just inside the old oak door hooking the garment bag on it she grabbed her suitcase from the floor and placed it on the old bed. Opening it up she began to pull out a pair of jeans and a jumper. While rummaging through her clothes she came across a small white box. It was held together with a tiny silver ribbon. With adept fingers Anna made quick work of it and as the lid fell to the bed she removed a small piece of cotton to see a gold circle pendant hanging from a delicate chain. Pulling it from the box she ran her fingers over it. Looking at the old vanity she walked over to stand in front of its oval mirror and clasped it around her neck.

Getting dressed quickly she made her way toward the other room. "Hi," Anna said walking into Mary's room.

"Hello," Mary greeted her while trying to put in her ear rings as she sat at the vanity. "Are you settled in?" Mary asked.

"Oh yes," Anna said. "This house is beautiful, don't you agree."

"Yes, although small from our prospective."

"Quite," Anna agreed. She freely admitted that from Mary's point of view everything would appear small.

They looked around the rooms once more the formal living room towards the kitchen and the most used living area. "Mrs. Jacobs-"Mary began to speak.

"Please call me Amelia, we aren't formal in this house."

"As you wish, Amelia. Do you live here by yourself?"

Stirring a skillet full of gravy she spoke, "No… it's rather a full house actually…" Turning the stove off and carrying the pan to a waiting gravy boat, "My husband and I live here and also my sister Haley, whom you'll meet in a few minutes also lives here with her husband Ryan."

"Does it ever get unnerving?" Mary asked as she walked over to an old heavy door. "Where does this lead?"

"That's the back door…"

Mary's curiosity made her glance out the square window of the door. There she saw a wooden deck with a double ramp leading to the ground. Turning slightly she looked towards her friend questions clouding her mind.

"- to answer your question, Mary it can get a bit annoying at times, but we work well together…"

"What can get annoying Amelia?" A voice called coming through the back door.

Mary and Anna watched as the door shoved open slightly and the front of a chair peeked through. "Oh just you, Haley." Amelia hollered at her sister who made it through the door followed by two men.

"Thanks Amelia,"

"You're welcome,"

Both Anna and Mary watched the exchange along with the two men who rested the backs against either side of the door. "Oh forgive me," Amelia said with a blush of embarrassment. "Haley, Ryan, Jack- This is Mary Crawley and Anna Bates…"

"Oh yes," Haley said driving her chair toward them, "The Earl's daughter, we have been waiting to meet you." Haley told her as she held out her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well,"

"Dinner is ready," Amelia said carrying bowels and platters towards the dining room. Taking their seats at the long formal table Mary and Anna noticed the ease between everyone and enjoyed it. The table had been seat using their grandmother's china. White plates and bowls with gold trim. The food was passed down the table for everyone to serve themselves. It was an ordinary country meal. "I do hope you like chicken." Amelia commented passing the platter of fried chicken down to Mary.

"Yes, we do enjoy American food."

Anna nodded in agreement serving herself mashed potatoes and gravy. "It is one reason that I enjoy these trips."

Taking a drink of his tea Haley's husband Ryan addressed them, "In the morning we will be showing you the horses and we'll do a practice run."

Taking in the man's words Anna couldn't help but notice the similarities between this man and "her" John. He was decidedly older than his wife, his broad shoulders and wide chest fit his frame. His brown hair was cut short, but hardly styled. As they ate and conversed Anna could tell Mary had a million questions that she would discuss later.

When everyone had eaten and wound down from their days, one by one they bid their good nights. "Good night," Haley said to everyone where they sat in the living room.

"Good night," Mary and Anna told her watching as she and Ryan left the room.

Amelia stood and began to carry a tray full of empty mugs and glasses to the kitchen, Mary and Anna followed, "May we help?" Anna asked.

"Oh no, I've got it." Amelia admonished her, sitting the glasses and cups in the dish washer.

"Amelia… forgive me for prying-" Mary began.

"No, go on."

"What happened to Haley?"

Closing the dishwasher she leaned back against it. "She was born too early and she can't walk, that's all." Amelia explained.

Mary could tell she had answered this question numerous times before. "Well, I'll say good night." Mary said. She made her way passed Anna and out of the room.

"I'll say good night as well," Anna said with a tired smile. "I need to ring my husband."

"Good night."

Entering the room that was to be hers for the next two weeks Anna flopped down on the old bed. Reaching for her purse she pulled out her mobile and pushed '1' and waited for John to answer.

'Hello my love,'

Anna was greeted.

'Hello John,'

'How was the trip?'

'It was fine, Mary was quite down…'

'Do you know why?'

'I think she just misses George,'

'I should hope.'

I got your gift,'

She could hear him smile,

'Do you like it?'

'Yes, it's lovely.'

'It must be late there, love.'

'It is.'

'You should get to bed.'

'I love you, John.'

I love you too, Anna.'

'Good night,'

Anna said as she ended the call. Though she missed him terribly Anna knew that six Am came quickly and with that she began to dress for bed before falling into a deep sleep.

TBC

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